28th February 2012 Croke Park, Dublin. Presentation by Fergus Finlay, CEO

1. 28th February 2012 Croke Park, Dublin. Presentation by Fergus Finlay, CEO

2. Our Children – Our Past

3. Our Children – Our Present 1,107,034 What’s going well? Where are the fault lines?

4. Children will have a voice Children will be understood Children will be supported National Children’s Strategy Safe from accidental and intentional harm/Secure in the immediate and wider physical environment Part of positive networks of family, friends, neighbours and the community /Included and participating in society National Outcomes for Children in Ireland Supported in active learning Healthy, both physically and mentally Economically Secure • Good physical health • Good mental health • Good lifestyles (diet, exercise, substance abuse, etc.) • Play and leisure opportunities • Personal development opportunities • Emotional resilience and empathy • Good sexual health • Protection against child abuse and neglect • Protection against crime • Housing and shelter • A stable living environment • Able to manage/ respond to bullying, discrimination and antisocial behaviour • Ready for school • Good school attendance and participation • Literate and numerate • Good school results • High school standards • Encouragement to grow and achieve • A caring home environment • Influence and voice in our society • Rights enshrined in the Constitution • An informed and fair justice and courts system • Protection from poverty • Protection from the impact of poverty • A pathway to independence GOALS That means they are / have...

5. But there are problems … 8.7% of children living in consistent poverty • State Policy Towards • Children: • “ Seen and not heard “ • Until the 70’s • Economic Policy: • Role of the state vs Personal Consumption • & the Markets • Irish spending on Social • Protection the lowest in Western Europe • Economic Contraction • Growth Down 15% • Reduced Government Social Spending • Child Benefit • Social Welfare Payments • HSE Budget • Education Budget • Closure of State Agencies Systemic Problems Problems Experienced by Children Underlying Causes • No reference model for developing children’s services • Weak information base, with no common system for assessing needs of children or outcomes • No resource allocation model for children’s services • Structural problems – huge variation in services and standards delivered in different regions • Historically, a closed and centralised political culture was no prepared to allow external participation in developing/implementing policy • Child abuse and neglect • Housing/Homelessness • Children unable to thrive in education • Poor literacy/numeracy • Mental health and well being problems • Physical health problems • Early school leaving • Substance abuse • Peer violence/bullying • Inability to break out of cycles of disadvantage • Historically poor child protection and welfare services • Limited implementation of the first National Children’s Strategy • Services for children and their families focus on ‘picking up pieces’ • Unemployment up, now over 15% • Wage cuts in public and private sectors • Increased budgetary pressures on existing systems and services • Reduction in funding for NGOs • Increased pressure on services for children and families

6. Constitutional Change Child & Family Welfare focused Agency Director of Children & Family Services Program for Government Opportunity to deliver world class services for children & families New Legislation National Children’s Strategy 2012 - 2017 Minister for Children

7. Barnardos’ Vision National Framework/ Local Architecture delivering continuum of care through interagency working

8. What All Children Need Prenatal Care Family Planning Antenatal Care -9 months 18 years Public Health Nurse Visits 0 years Youth Clubs Pre-school/ Community Crèche/ Playgroup 2 years 15 years Secondary school 11 years 5 years Primary School Sports/ Entertainment Clubs/ Scouts/ Girl Guides 9 years Afterschool Activities • Required Throughout the Continuum (e.g. GPs, etc.) • Primary Care Services

9. When Early Intervention is Needed Support Service for Parents Education Welfare Officer/Home School Liaison Officer HSE Early Intervention Team -9 months 18 years Practical Support Services 0 years Life Skills/Lifestyle Choices/Peer & Family Relationship Support Targeted Pre-School 2 years Mentoring Programme Ready for School Service (Children & Parents) 15 years Literacy & Numeracy Support Service 11 years 5 years Ready for Secondary School (Children & Parents) Social/ Emotional Support 9 years Support to Access out of School Activities • Required Throughout the Continuum: • Parent Support(1:1) – Home Visits and Centre Based, Parenting Group- Work Programme Mental Health and Wellbeing Support (Children & Parents), Community Development Support, Attachment and Relationship Support

10. Some Children Need a Crisis Service Drug & Alcohol Addiction Service -9 months 18 years 0 years Family Welfare Conference 2 years Targeted Pre-School Wraparound Services 15 years Care/ Fostering 11 years 5 years Diversion Programme (Gardai) 9 years National Education Welfare Service • Required Throughout the Continuum: • Domestic Violence Services, Child Residential Services (In- Care), Fostering Service, Respite Care, Community Welfare Service, Specialist Therapeutic Services (eg, Bereavement, Sexual Abuse), Family Law Centres, Gardai, Child Protection & Welfare, Homeless Services, Family Support Voluntary Agencies

11. The Community Hub: A Better Way of Meeting Need Local Management Common Assessment Framework -9 months 18 years Assessing & Responding to Community Need 0 years Local Accountability 2 years 15 years Inter- Agency Cooperation - Protocols 11 years 5 years Some Services likely to be Regional/National National Policy, Local Delivery 9 years

12. Once in a Generation Opportunity

14. 28th February 2012 Croke Park, Dublin. Presentation by Fergus Finlay, CEO